Chapter - I. Introduction
Background of the study
“The swine flu is evolution, isn't it? In a way, it's an evolution of flu.
-Alan Tudyk”
Swine flu is an acute respiratory disease, caused by a strain of Hemophilus influenza type A virus known as H1N1, officially referred as novel A/H1N1. The virus is a mixture of four known strains of influenza a virus: One endemic in humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemics in pigs (swine). Swine influenza was first proposed to be a disease related to human influenza during the 1918 flu pandemic, which was known as Spanish flu, (infected about 500 million people and caused approximately 50 million deaths) At the end of March 2009, an outbreak of novel influenza A/H1N1 infection occurred in Mexico, followed by ongoing spread to all over the world in a short period.1
On 11 June 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised its pandemic alert to the highest level, phase 6, meaning that; the A/H1N1 flu had spread in more than two continents. On June 2010, it had caused over 18,172 deaths in more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities. Most illnesses, especially the severe ones and deaths had occurred among healthy young adults. Transmission of the new strain is human-to-human. Its symptoms are similar to those of influenza in general. It includes fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. The flu can make chronic health problems worse.2
Vaccines are available for different kinds of swine flu. However, vaccines against the new strain are developed, with safety profiles like seasonal flu vaccines. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of people regarding swine flu are a cornerstone in the prevention of virus spread and outbreak. India is ranked 3 rd among the most affected countries for cases and deaths of swine flu globally.3
The highest number of cases were reported in 2009 (27,236), followed by 2010 (20,604) and 2012 (5,054 cases). The highest number of swine flu deaths took place in 2011 (1,763), followed by 2009 (981) and 2012 (405). A sheer volume of cases could easily overstretch already fragile and overburdened health services, especially in developing countries, and cause considerable suffering in human populations around the world. Swine flu has killed 261 people in India in the first 3 months of 2013, with most deaths reported from Rajasthan and Gujarat. A total of 2,329 people tested positive for the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, in 35 states and union territories.4
In a northern state of India, Punjab, total number of confirmed cases was 182 and 42 deaths. These deaths initiated chain of media reports and local physician's articles on measures to prevent Swine flu being published in the newspaper dailies. When levels of worry are generally low, acting to increase the volume of mass media and advertising coverage is likely to increase the perceived efficacy of Trust in government/media information was more strongly associated with greater self-efficacy and hand washing; whereas trust in informal information was strongly associated with perceived health threat and avoidance behavior.5
Save your time!
We can take care of your essay
- Proper editing and formatting
- Free revision, title page, and bibliography
- Flexible prices and money-back guarantee
'The Government has been successful in providing information to people on swine flu. Even television channels have played a major role in educating people by inviting doctors and experts in their studios every day to provide information about the deadly virus,' Information and Broadcasting Minister, Government of India said. The best we citizens can do is to keep ourselves informed about the happenings and the steps we can take to prevent the spread of the flu.6
Adequate amounts of vaccines and antivirals are unlikely to be available early on in a pandemic and later could become ineffective because of resistance. . These factors have focused attention on the use of non-pharmaceutical public health interventions to inhibit human to human transmission and fuelled interest in answering important questions about influenza epidemiology and transmission.7
Need for the study
H1N1 flu is a new influenza virus causing the current pandemic. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. The virus is spreading from person to person in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. H1N1 flu is not caused by eating pork or pork products. H1N1 flu is not a food-borne disease; it is a respiratory disease (CDC, 2009b).8
Illness with the new H1N1 flu virus has ranged from mild to severe. Although the vast majority of people who have contracted H1N1 flu have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths have occurred.9
The purpose of the study was to find out if students of colleges, Sangli have adequate knowledge of the disease and whether or not the students viewed H1N1 influenza as a threat to their health. 10
This study also investigated knowledge about possible preventive measures that can be taken among the students.
- What is the current knowledge of students regarding H1N1 influenza?
- What kind of general information do students have regarding symptoms of H1N1 influenza?
- What kind of general information do students have regarding the transmission of H1N1 influenza?
- What kind of general knowledge do students have regarding the treatment of H1N1 influenza?
- What kind of general knowledge do students have regarding the prevention of H1N1 influenza?
- What is the students‟ perceived level of threat for contracting H1N1 influenza?
- Does the students‟ knowledge about H1N1 influenza vary with their perceived level of threat for contracting H1N1 influenza?
Statement of problem
“A study to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching programme on knowledge related to prevention of swine flu among the college going student in selected colleges of Sangli Miraj and kupwad corporation area.”
Objectives of the problem
- To Assess the existing knowledge among college-going students related to prevention of swine flu in colleges in selected colleges of Sangli, Miraj kupwad corporation area.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of planned teaching programme on students’ knowledge.
Stuck on your essay?
